Colorado Adult Learning Symposium

Regis University hosting the first Colorado Adult Learning Symposium July 29; Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia will be the guest speaker

July 17, 2013

(DENVER) – Colorado Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, who also serves as the Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Higher Education, will be the featured speaker when Regis University hosts the first Colorado Adult Learning Symposium: Moving the Tassel, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 29 at the University's St. Peter Claver, S.J. Hall Mountain View Room.

Regis University's College for Professional Studies (CPS), in partnership with My Degree Matters Colorado, the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), is sponsoring the event.

The one-day event is designed to educate about policy and practice for adult learning, including reverse transfer, competency-based education, assessment of prior learning; connect around strategies and practices to better serve adults; and share successful and promising practices.

Debbie Lloyd, associate director of CPS Admissions, Business Development and Community College Outreach, notes that the symposium is in support of My Degree Matters Colorado, which works to raise awareness of the importance of attaining post-secondary degrees in Colorado, especially for adult learners.

"We need to help our residents who never finished an undergraduate degree go back to school and complete," said Lloyd. "The more educated a city's population, the more robust its economy will be.” Post-traditional students face unique challenges and opportunities as they pursue their college credentials. Many adult students are juggling full time work and families with their studies and are often confronted with difficulties in financing their education. At the same time, adult students can explore getting credit for what they already know from experience outside the college classroom and can take advantage of alternative programs that better suit the their needs.

“This is a unique opportunity for representatives across education to come together and share best practices for supporting adult learners,” says Jo Winger de Rondon, CAEL’s vice president in Denver. “There will be engagement from across the educational spectrum, along with local employers, government officials and nonprofit organizations, gathered to benchmark with one another, and further Colorado’s goal of increasing college completion rates.”

Two representatives from Regis University will also participate in breakout sessions. Roxanne Gonzales, academic dean and professor for CPS, will participate in the Prior Learning Assessments for Veterans and Current Military Service Members session. Janet Colvin, CPS affiliate faculty, will participate in the session on Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio and Implementation. “Prior Learning Assessment is a one way to honor a student's life and work experience,” said Lloyd, “educators assist students convert that experience to college credit."

A host of session topics are on the agenda including: prior learning assessment for the military; assessment, competencies, credit for learning; adult basic education; prior learning assessment portfolio; reverse transfer; standards for accelerated programs; financing education; reintroducing prior offenders to education and the workforce; adult college completion network; improving recruitment, retention and graduation for the Hispanic college student; and linking education and work.